Kevin Nicholson hailed his Torquay United team as they claimed their first win of 2017, a 3-1 National League home victory over Gateshead.

United edged up to 17th, four points above the bottom four, by halting a losing streak of three games.

Proud Gulls boss Nicholson admitted: “It was a fantastic win.

“All I asked them was to forget about tactics, forget about formation, forget about anything other than going out and winning the fight, because Gateshead are good at that and it’s something we’ve lacked a little bit.

“We’ve wanted to play before we’ve earnt the right, which is the clichéd way of saying it but I just wanted the lads to go out there and put it on the line.

“They are a great bunch. In the last three games they haven’t shown the passion, the fight and the rest of what they have got. They have tried but it’s almost tied them up in knots.

“Today they got the balance right between aggression and passion but also with clear heads.

“We didn’t play too much of the kind of football I’d like us to play however I’d take that every single week because that will win you games at this level. They threw their bodies on the line.

“My biggest thing is to be able to deal with losing Racine after he had such a fantastic debut, giving a penalty away - because his leg has buckled under him - to go 1-1 and then pick yourself up to go again after losing a leader on a pitch makes me incredibly proud.

“I am pleased for all the boys because every one of them contributed.”